Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body having a storage space therein, a door for selectively opening or closing the storage space, a gasket surrounding an edge of a back surface of the door, the gasket being closely attached to the main body, and a handle part provided on a front surface of the door. The handle part includes a handle cover rotated backward by a force pushed by a user&#39;s hand, a recess part defined in the door, the recess part being exposed to the outside so that the user&#39;s hand is inserted by the rotation of the handle cover, and a grasp part disposed on a side of the recess part to allow a user to grasp the grasp part. A front surface of the handle part is flush with the front surface of the door in a state where an external force in not applied to the handle part.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefits of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0116251 (filed on Nov. 9, 2011), which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

Refrigerators are electric appliances for storing foods at a low temperature.

Such a refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment therein, a door for selectively opening and closing the storage compartment, and a refrigeration cycle for generating cool air.

A door provided in a refrigerator according to a related art is rotatably mounted on a main body or provided as a drawer type door. A handle to be grasped by a user's hand may be provided on most of doors.

In detail, in the case of the rotatable door, the handle extends vertically with a length corresponding to that from an upper end up to a lower end of the door to protrude from a font surface of the door. In a case of the drawer type door, the handle extends horizontally with a length corresponding to that from a left end up to a right end of the door to protrude from a front surface of the door.

Such a refrigerator according to the related art has a limitation in which a front surface of the refrigerator does not have an elegant outer appearance due to the structure of the handle.

Furthermore, a gasket including a magnet is disposed in a back surface of the refrigerator door. Thus, when the door closed, the gasket is closely attached to the main body of the refrigerator to prevent the leakage of cool air. However, due to the magnetic adhesion, a predetermined force is required for opening the refrigerator door. Thus, it may be difficult for children and the elderly to open the refrigerator door.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a refrigerator having an improved structure of a refrigerator door to elegantly treat a front part of the refrigerator.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a refrigerator door is easily opened with a less force.

In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body having a storage space therein; a door for selectively opening or closing the storage space; a gasket surrounding an edge of a back surface of the door, the gasket being closely attached to the main body; and a handle part provided on a front surface of the door, wherein the handle part includes: a handle cover rotated backward by a force pushed by a user's hand; a recess part defined in the door, the recess part being exposed to the outside so that the user's hand is inserted by the rotation of the handle cover; and a grasp part disposed on a side of the recess part to allow a user to grasp the grasp part, wherein a front surface of the handle part is flush with the front surface of the door in a state where an external force in not applied to the handle part.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a structure of a handle part.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views illustrating a structure of a handle part according to a first embodiment, taken along line I-I of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a handle part according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a system view illustrating an operation of the handle part according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a system view illustrating an operation of a handle part according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of the handle part according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a structure of a handle part according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a system view illustrating an operation of the handle part according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a handle part according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a system view illustrating an operation of the handle part according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view illustrating a structure of a handle cover according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a structure of a handle part.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment includes a main body 11 having a storage space therein and doors 12 and 13 selectively opening and closing the storage space.

In detail, the storage space includes a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, and the doors 12 and 13 include a refrigerating compartment door 13 and a freezing compartment door 12. Also, a handle part 20, a home bar door 14, and a display part 15 may be disposed on front surfaces of the doors 12 and 13.

Also, the handle part 20 includes a handle cover 21 rotated forward and backward with respect to a horizontal axis, a recess part 22 recessed into each of the doors 12 and 13, and a grasp part (see reference numeral 23 of FIG. 3) to be grasped by a user's hand.

In detail, a rotation shaft (see reference numeral 211 of FIG. 3) of the handle cover 21 may be disposed on an upper or lower end of the handle cover 21. Thus, when a user pushes the handle cover 21 using a hand thereof, the handle cover 21 is rotated backward with respect to the rotation shaft 211 so that the user's hand is inserted into the recess part 22. The user inserts the hand thereof into the recess part 22. Then, when the user grasps the grasp part 23 using four fingers thereof and pulls the grasp part 23, each of the doors 12 and 13 is opened.

Hereinafter, a structure of the handle part 20 and a separation unit linked with the handle part 20 to separate the doors 12 and 13 from the main body 11 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Also, for convenience of description, the refrigerating compartment door 13 is exemplified. In addition, embodiments may be equally applied to the freezing compartment door 12.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken along line I-I of FIG. 1 and illustrate a structure of a handle part according to a first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, a refrigerator 10 according to the first embodiment includes a main body 11, a door 13 connected to a front surface of the main body, a gasket 16 surrounding an edge of a back surface of the door 13, and a handle part 20 provided on a front surface of the door 13.

In detail, the handle part 20 includes a handle cover 21 rotatably connected to the front surface of the door 13, a recess part 22 recessed by a predetermined depth backward form the handle cover 21, and a grasp part 23 to be grasped by a hand which pushes the handle cover 21. And, a separation unit 30 is disposed on a rear surface of the recess part 22 to separate the gasket 16 from the front surface of the main body 11.

In more detail, a rotation shaft 211 is horizontally disposed on an upper or lower end of the handle cover 21. Also, an elastic member such as a torsion spring is provided on the rotation shaft 211 to allow the handle cover 21 to return to its original position when a force pushing the handle cover 21 is removed. If a force is not applied to the handle cover 21, a front surface of the handle cover 21 is flush with the front surface of the door 13. Also, the separation unit 30 includes a link 31 passing through a back surface of the door 13 a spring 32 allowing the link 31 to return to its original position.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the handle cover 21 is pushed backward to open the door 13 by a user, the handle cover 21 may be rotated backward by a predetermined angle with respect to the rotation shaft 211.

In detail, when the handle cover 21 is rotated backward, an end of the handle cover 21, i.e., an end of the handle cover 21 opposite to the rotation shaft 211 contacts the separation unit 30. Particularly, the lower end of the handle cover 21 is rotated backward to contact a front surface of the link 31. In this state, when the handle cover 21 is further pushed, the link 31 is linearly moved backward to protrude from the back surface of the door 13. Simultaneously, the end of the link 31 pushes the front surface of the main body 11 to separate the gasket 16 from the main body. Thus, the user pushes the handle cover 21 to separate the door 13 from the main body 11. In this state, when the user pulls the grasp part 23, the door 13 may be easily opened.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a handle part according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a system view illustrating an operation of the handle part according to the second embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a handle part according to the second embodiment has the same structure as that of the first embodiment. However, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a sensor 110 is provided on a front surface of a door 13. Thus, descriptions with respect to the same components as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

In detail, a handle part driving system of a refrigerator according to the current embodiment includes a control unit 100, a sensor 110 disposed in a front surface of the door 13 to detect user's access, a memory 120, and a handle driving unit 130 controlling an operation of a handle cover 21.

In more detail, the sensor 110 includes a proximity sensor for detecting the user's hand when the user's hand approaches thereto. Also, the sensor 110 may include all types of sensors which are capable of detecting the user's hand when the user's hand approaches a range within a preset distance.

When sensor 110 detects the approaching user's hand, a detection signal is transmitted into the control unit 100, and the control unit 100 operates the handle driving unit 130. When the handle driving unit 130 is operated, the handle cover 21 is rotated backward. Also, the handle cover 21 presses the separation unit 30 to move the link 31 backward. Thus, the gasket 16 may be separated from the main body 11 to easily open the door 13.

The handle driving unit 130 serves as a driving unit for rotating a rotation shaft 211 of the handle cover 21. For example, a motor connected to the rotation shaft 211 may be used as the handle driving unit 130.

Here, the sensor 110 may be provided in the front surface of the door 13 correspond to upper or lower sides of the handle cover 21. Alternatively, the sensor 110 may be disposed in the front surface of the handle cover 21 as a touch sensor. That is, the sensor 110 may be a sensor for detecting the user's hand when the user's hand contacts the front surface of the handle cover 21.

FIG. 7 is a system view illustrating an operation of a handle part according to a third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of the handle part according to the third embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a handle part driving system according to a third embodiment includes a control unit 100, a memory 120, a sensor 110 disposed in one of a front surface of the door 13 or a front surface of a handle cover 21 to detect a user's hand, a handle driving unit 130 rotating the handle cover 21, a separation unit 40 separating the door 13 from a main body 11, and a link driving unit 140 driving the separation unit 40.

In detail, the separation unit 40 includes a link which is movable in front and rear directions within the door 13 and moved backward to protrude from a back surface of the door 13. Also, the link driving unit 140 includes a pinion 141 engaged with an outer surface of the separation unit 40 and a driving motor 142 rotating the pinion 141.

According to the above-described configuration, when the sensor 110 detects a user's hand approaching thereto, a detection signal is transmitted into the control unit 100. Also, the control unit 100 transmits an operation signal to each of the handle driving unit 130 and the link driving unit 140. Thus, the handle cover 21 is rotated backward by an operation of the handle driving part 130 so that the user's hand is insertable into a recess part 22. Also, the separation unit 40 is moved backward by an operation of the link driving part 140. Thus, the gasket 16 is separated form the main body 11.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a structure of a handle part according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a system view illustrating an operation of the handle part according to the forth embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in a handle part driving system according to the forth embodiment, a pressure sensor 111 is mounted on an inner wall of a recess part 22. When the handle cover 21 is rotated to press the pressure sensor 111, a separation unit 40 is operated.

In detail, the handle part driving system according to the fourth embodiment includes a control unit 100, a memory 120, the pressure sensor 111 pressed by rotation of the handle cover 21, a link driving unit 140 connected to the control unit 100, and the separation unit 40 connected the link driving unit 140.

In more detail, when the handle cover 21 is rotated backward, the pressure sensor 111 may be disposed on a predetermined position of the inner wall of the recess part 22 contacting an end of the handle cover 21.

Thus, when a user pushes the handle cover 21, a back surface of a lower end of the handle cover 21 pushes the pressure sensor 111. Then, the pressure sensor 111 detects the pushing of the handle cover 21 to transmit a detection signal into the control unit 100. Thus, the control unit 100 transmits an operation signal into the link driving unit 140. As a result, a driving motor 142 of the link driving unit 140 is operated to rotate the pinion 141. Thus, the separation unit 40 is moved backward to separate the gasket 16 form the main body 11.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a structure of a handle part according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a system view illustrating an operation of the handle part according to the fifth embodiment.

In the current embodiment, a handle cover 21 is rotated by a detection signal transmitted from a sensor 110 for detecting a user's hand, and a separation unit 40 is operated by a detection signal transmitted form a pressure sensor 111 disposed on a grasp part 23.

In detail, when the user's hand approaches or contacts the handle cover 21, the sensor 110 detects the user's hand. In the current embodiment, like the second embodiment, the sensor 110 may be a contact sensor disposed on a surface of the handle cover 21. When the sensor 110 detects the use's hand, a detection signal is transmitted into the control unit 100, and the control unit 100 transmits an operation signal into a handle driving unit 130 to rotate the handle cover 21 backward.

When a user inserts a hand thereof into a recess part 22 to grasp a grasp part 23 using fingers thereof, the pressure sensor 111 detects a pressure applied to the grasp part 23 to transmit a detection signal into the control unit 100. Then, the control unit 100 transmits an operation signal into a link driving unit 140, and a pinion 141 of the link driving unit 140 is rotated by a driving motor 142. Also, the separation unit 40 engaged with the pinion 141 is moved backward to separate a gasket 16 from the main body 11.

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view illustrating a structure of a handle cover according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, an end of a handle cover 210 according to the current embodiment, i.e., an end opposite to a rotation shaft may have a curved shape 211. As described above, since the end of the handle cover 210 has the curved shape 211, it may prevent the user's hand from interfering with a door 13 in a state where the handle cover 210 is rotated backward.

Of course, in the current embodiment, an upper end of the handle cover 210 may serve as a rotation shaft. Alternatively, a lower end of the handle cover 210 may serve as a rotation shaft.

According to the refrigerator including the above-described components, since the handle part of the door is flush with the front surface of the door, the handle part is hidden when the door is not opened. As a result, the front surface of the door can be elegantly treated.

Also, the separation unit for separating the door gasket from the main body by the rotation of the handle cover constituting the handle part can be operated to reduce a force required for opening the refrigerator door.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body having a storage space therein; a door to selectively open and close the storage space; a gasket surrounding an edge of a back surface of the door, the gasket being disposed at the main body or the door; and a handle part provided on a front surface of the door, wherein the handle part comprises: a handle cover rotatable backward by a force of a user's hand; a recess part defined in the door, the recess part being exposed to the outside by the rotation of the handle cover so that the user's hand is insertable in the recess part; and a grasp part disposed on a side of the recess part to allow the grasp part to be grasped by the user's hand.
 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: a rotation shaft, which serves as a rotation center of the handle cover, is disposed on an upper or lower end of the handle cover; and a spring associated with the rotation shaft to allow the handle cover to return to an original state when an external force is not applied to the handle cover.
 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein an end opposite to the rotation shaft of the handle cover has a straight line or a curved shape.
 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a separation unit movable forward and backward within the door, at least a portion of the separation unit protrudable from the back surface of the door to separate the gasket from the door or the main body.
 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the separation unit comprises a link movable forward and backward within the door.
 6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein, when the handle cover is rotated backward, an end of the handle cover presses against a front surface of the link to cause at least a portion of the link to protrude from the back surface of the door.
 7. The refrigerator according to claim 5, further comprising: a sensor disposed on the front surface of the door or the handle cover; and a handle driving unit to rotate the handle cover based on a detection signal transmitted from the sensor.
 8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, further comprising a link driving unit to operate the link based on the detection signal transmitted from the sensor.
 9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the link driving unit comprises: a pinion engaged with the link; and a driving motor to drive the pinion.
 10. The refrigerator according to claim 5, further comprising: a pressure sensor disposed on an inner wall of the recess part; and a link driving unit to operate the link based on a detection signal transmitted from the pressure sensor.
 11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein, when the handle cover is rotated backward, the pressure sensor is disposed on a predetermined position of the recess part that contacts with the handle cover.
 12. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed on a predetermined position of the grasp part that contacts with the user's hand.
 13. The refrigerator according to claim 10, further comprising a detection sensor disposed in the front surface of the door or a front surface of the handle cover to detect the use's hand.
 14. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a front surface of the handle part is flush with the front surface of the door when an external force in not applied to the handle part. 